Oil and fuel saver



I Aug. 30, 1927.

1, A WEAVER OIL AND FUEL SAVER Filed July 1 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet I],

m I A H km WWIHHH V M [if l. A. WEAVER OIL AND FUEL SAVER Filed July 1 1922 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRA A. WEAVER, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNE' ASSIGNMENTS, T0 SKINNER AUTOMOTIVE DEVIOE CO., INC., 013 SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, A

CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

OIL AND IBUEL SAVER.

My invention relates to improved means for removing the excess lubricating oil from the cylinders and pistons of internal-combustion and other engines or motors, whereby to save such oil for further use, and to prevent its entrance into the upper part or firing chamber of the cylinder where 1t is likely to foul or short-circuit the spark-plug and to become carbonized with the usual and well known resulting disadvantages.

A further aim of the invention is also to employ these means to withdraw such portion of the gaseous fuel mixture or the products of combustion as may escape d'ownwardly past the piston-rings, and thereby prevent the detrimental dilution or contamination of the lubricating oil in the engine crank-case, such removal of the gases in large measure, in winter especially, eliminating the collection of water in the crank-case where it is subject to freezing and whose presence in such portion of the engine has other objectionable features.

This general plan has been heretofore suggested, but my improvements reside more especially in accomplishing the desired results by means which normally do not 1nterfe re or conflict with the oarburetion or the proper and regular supply of fuel from the carburetor through the intake-manifold to the several cylinders of the motor, and also even though the oil and gas removing means for one or more of the cylinders may be temporarily out of working order.

Accordingly, instead of using the .exhausting or suction action present in the. intakemanifold of the motor to draw off such oil and gases from around the pistons, I use a separate pump or pumps for this purpose, and, after heating the withdrawn mixture to separate its volatile and substantially nonvolatile liquid constituents, I provide means for delivering the gaseous mixture into the intake of the carburetor (not the intakemanifold'of the motor,) and means for returning the reclaimed oil to the motor crankcase or sump or other suitable receptacle ready for further use .as a lubricant.

An additional feature of the invention is the employment of means to aerate or aerify 1 the withdrawn or abstracted mixture preliminaryto or during its being heated by the exhaust gases from the motor, or otherwise, whereby to facilitate the separation or dissociation of the mixture into its volatile and practically non-volatile parts.

In order that those skilled in this art may have a full understanding of the manner of accomplishing these specified and other aims and objects of the invention in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification I have illustrated desirable and preferred embodiments of the invention and for simplicity throughout the several views of the drawing, like reference characters have been used'to designate the same parts.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates in vertical section and somewhat diagrammatically, one convenlcnt embodiment of the invention;

Figure :2 is a side elevation of the piston shown in Figure 1, the view being at right angles to that of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a modified style of piston;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the same piston at right angles to the View of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective, diagrammatic view of a multi-cylinder engine fitted with the new oil-treating appliance.

Referring to this drawing, in which only one cylinder 11 of a multi-cylinder internalcombustion motor or engine has been illustrated, it being borne in mind, however, that each cylinder of the motor would ordinarily be similarly equipped, it will be seen that the water-jacketed cylinder is of the customary form and style, the invention being equally as well adapted for use in air-cooled engines.

The associated reciprocatory piston 12, connected to the engine crank-shaft by a connecting-rod in the customary manner, such connection not being illustrated, is desirably fitted at its upper section with a plurality of elastic piston-rings 13 and 14, and just below the lower one of these, the piston has an external, peripheral, shallow, oil groove 15 preferably extended all the way around.

From a point 16 on such groove, two downwardly-diverging grooves 17 and 18 extend down around the outer curved face of the piston to the bottom of its skirt as indicated in both Figures 1 and 2, the upper ends of such skirt grooves being in communication with the annular groove 15 at the point 16.

At a point diametrically opposite the point 16, the piston has an internal, chambered en- ,me'nt 21 of which is in communication with the groove 15 by a passage 22 through the wall of the piston.

The'upper, externally-threaded end of a vertically-disposed cylindrical tube 23 is screwed into the part 19 with its passage in connection with the chamber 21, suchtube, as is clearly shown, extending down beyond the lower edge of the piston skirt because the length of stroke of a piston is ordinarily longer than its skirt.

At its top endthe tube is internally fitted with a downwardl -opening, upwardly spring-pressed ball-Va ve 20 co-operating with an appropriate valve-seat formed on the interior of the upper end of the tube, all as is fully illustrated in section in Figure 1.

If desired, such upright, tubular element 1112K be made an integral part of the piston.

vertically-disposed, stationary, cylindrical, hollow plunger 24 fits telescopically in such reoiprocatory tube, its lower end being mounted in an outwardly-extended pipe or conduit connection 25 provided with a gravity-acting, downwardly-closing ballvalve 26 co-operating with a valve-seat 27 in the part 25.

This element 25 is in turn connected to an upright pipe or tube 28 opening into the bottom of a still, refining or heating chamber 29 connected through its top wall to the intake of a carbureter 30, shown diagrammatically, associated with the motor of which the cylinder and piston form parts.

Such heating chamber or distillation comartment is heated by all or a portion of e hot, exhaust gases of the engine, and, to this end, the exhaust-manifold 31 of the motor is fitted with a branch '32 passing through such chamber and desirably pro- .vided with a regulating valve 33 of any suitable form, whereby the degree of heat in the compartment may be easily governed and controlled.

The distillation-chamber is supplied with an overflow opening 34 at such a height that the branch pipe 32 is covered by the liquid drawn off from around the piston, and temorarily remaining in the chamber, and the ubricating oil passing over such overflow is conducted through a pipe 35 and its trap 36 of ordinary construction back to the engine crank-case or other desirable re ceptacle.

24 when the piston to which the tube 23 is attached is at the top end of its stroke.

WVhen the piston ascends, carrying the cylinder or tube 23 with it, a suction is created in the connected elements 23, 24 and 25, such reduced pressure opening valve 20 and maintaining valve 26 closed, hence preventing through the latter action any discharge from the pipe 28 into the member 25. This suction withdraws or abstracts the accumulated oil from the groove 15 and delivers it into the associated members 23,

24, and 25, such removal of the oil being.

facilitated by the vent passages 17 and 1 8,

the employment of which causes a greater quantity of oil to flow up the side of the piston with a tendency to carry off the heat and insure more perfect lubrication.

When the piston nears the top of its stroke, the aperture 37 passes upwardly beyond the top end of plunger 24 thus breaking the vacuum action and admitting a quantity of external air to the interior of the pump.

It is to borne in mind that the pump not only withdraws vthe excess lubricating oil,

or pumped past the valve 26 into pipe 28- and into the distillation chamber.

Here they are heated to separate or distill off the volatile constituents of the mixture which pass on to the carburetor intake, whereas the purified lubricating oil flows down into the engine sump or other receptacle through the trap.

The admission of air to the pump in the manner indicated prevents an undue or excessive suction action occuring therein and brings about an aeration of the mixture which facilitates the separation of the volatile constituents of the mixture in the still.

It will be perceived, therefore, that the oil and fuel are withdrawn from the piston groove wholly automatically and without interference with or dependence upon the carburetion or suction in the intake-manifold of the engine.

Therefore, if any one of the pumps of a motor having a plurality of cylinders and pistons goes out of commission, there is no detrimental effect on the uniform supply of fuel to the engine and no interference with the action of the other pumps of the remaining cylinders and pistons.

In Figures 3 and a a somewhat different form of oil collecting groove is shown, in which case the groove 137 begins at the lower end of the piston skirt at 38 and extends upwardly in a spiral direction about threequarters of the way around the piston to the point 39 where the pump is located inside of the piston and then the groove extends downwardly in a spiral relation about three-quarters of the way around the pisready discharge into the suction-pump.

The appliance described is effective in use to produce the results specified, it is simple in structure and hence economically manufactured, and in ordinary service, it is unlikely to become injured, damaged or deranged inany manner to prevent the continued performance of its efficient services.

It has not been deemed necessary to show any special means for supplying the lubricant to the cylinder and piston, but this may be done in any usual way, either by the customary splash system, of which the connecting rod constitutes a part, or by any appropriate forced feed system.

The invention is not limited and restricted to be precise and exact embodiments shown but is susceptible of being incorporated in many physical forms all embodying the fundamental'principles of the invention but diifering from one another more or less radically in mechanical details.

Stated somewhat differently, many minor mechanical changes may be made in the structure illustrated and described without departure from the heart and essence of the invention and Jvithout the sacrifice of any of its substantial benefits and advantages.

I claim 1. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a recipro'catory piston therein having an external fluid-collecting groove at least partially extending spirally to the lower margin of the piston skirt, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a tube carried by said piston with its interior in communication wlth said piston groove, a stationary hollow plunger telescopically associated with said tube, a checkvalve between the interior of said tube and said piston groove, said tube having an airinlet port through its side wall adapted to be opened and closed by said stationary plunger, a distillation-chamber having an overflow port, means to heat said distillation-chamber by exhaust gases from said en-- gine, a conduit connecting the interior of said plunger with the bottom of said distillation-chamber, a check-valve in said conduit, means to deliver the gases and vapors in saiddistillation-chamber to the intake of said carburetor, a pipe to conduct the overflowing lubricating oil from said distillation-chamber to the engine, and a trap in said oil pipe.

2. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein having an external fluid-collecting groove, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a tube carried by said pis ton with its interior in communication with said piston groove, 'a stationary hollow plunger telescopically associated with said tube, a check-valve between the interior of said tube and said piston groove, means to admit air to said tube during a portion of its travel, a distillation-chamber having an overflow port, means to heat said chamber by exhaust gases from said engine, a conduit connecting the interior of said plunger with said distillation-chamber, a check-valve in said conduit, means to deliver the gases and vapors in said distillation-chamber to the intake of said carburetor, a pipe to conduct the overflowing lubricating oil from said distillation-chamber to the engine, and a trap in said oil pipe.

3. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciproc'atory piston therein having an external fluid collecting groove, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a tube carried by said piston with its interior in communication with said piston groove, a hollow plunger telescopically associated with said tube, a checkvalve between the interior of said tube and said piston groove, a distillation-chamber,

-means to heat said distillation-chamber, a

conduit connecting the interior of said plunger with said distillation-chamber, a checkvalve in said conduit, means to deliver the gases and vapors in said distillation-chamber to the intake of said carburetor, and means to deliver the lubricating oil from said distillation-chamber to the engine.

4. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and plston, and a carburetor, a pump connected. to withdraw fluids from around said piston and and chamber whereby the withdrawn fluids" are delivered by the former into the latter,

having a reciprocatory element rigid and movable with said piston, a distillationchamber, means to heat said chamber, a connection between said pump and chamber whereby the withdrawn fluids are delivered by the former into the latter, means to deliver the gases and vapors in said distillation-chamber to the intake of the carburetor, and means to deliver the reclaimed lubricating oil from said chamber to the engine.

5.'In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a pump having a reciprocatory element rigid and movable with said piston, means to permit said pump to withdraw fluids from around said piston, a distillation-chamber, means to heat said chamber, a connection between said pump means to deliver the gases and vapors in said distillation-chamber to the engine, and means to recover the reclaimed lubricating oil for further use.

6. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a pump having a reciprocatory element movable with said piston, means to permit said ump to withdraw fluids from around sai piston, means to separate the withdrawn fluids into gaseous and vapor and lubricating oil constituents, means to deliver such gaseous and vapor constituents to said engine, and means to recover the reclaimed lubricating oil for further use.

7. In a construction of the character de scribed, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a pump operated mechanically by the movements of said piston, means to permit said pump to withdraw fluids from around said piston, means to separate the withdrawi'i fluids into gaseous and vapor and lubricating oil constituents, and means to deliver such gaseous and Va por constituents to the intake of said carburetor.

8. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, a pump operated directly mechanically by the movements of said piston, means to permit said pump to Withfrom around said piston, means to separate the withdrawn fluids into gaseous, vapor and lubricating oil constituents, means to return said gaseous and vapor constituents to the intake of the carburetor, and means to return the reclaimed lubricating oil to the engine.

10. In a multi-cylinder internal-combustion engine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of cylinders, a reciprocatory piston in each of said cylinders, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinders and pistons, an individual pump for and operated by each piston, and means to permit said pumps to withdraw fluids from around their corresponding pistons.

11. In a multi-cylinder internal-combustion engine of the character'described, the

combination of a plurality of cylinders, an externally grooved reciprocatory piston in each of said cylinders, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinders and pistons,

a carburetor, an individual pump for and operated by each piston, means to permit said pumps to withdraw fluids from said piston grooves of the corresponding pistons, means common to all of said cylinders to receive the withdrawn fluids from the pumps and in which such fluids are separated into their gaseous, vapor and lubricating oil constituents, and means to deliver such separated gaseous and vapor constituents to the engine. I

' 12. In a multi-cylinder internal-combustion engine of the character described, thecombination of a plurality of cylinders, an externally grooved reciprocatory piston in each of said cylinders, means to supply lubricating oil to said cylinders and pistons, a carburetor, an individual pump for and 0perated by each piston, means to permit said pumps to withdraw fluids from the grooves of theircorresponding pistons, means common to all of said cylinders to receive the withdrawn fluids from the pumps and in which such fluids are separated into their gaseous, vapor and lubricating oil constituents, means to deliver such separated gaseous and vapor constituents to the intake of the carburetor, and means to deliver the separated lubricating oil to the engine.

13. The combination of an internal-combustion engine including a cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein, means to supply,

lubricating oil to said cylinder and piston, and a carburetor, means to withdraw fluids from around said piston, means in the engine to aerate said fluids, means to heat said aerated Withdrawn fluids subsequently to separate them into gaseous, vapor and lubricating oil constituents, and means to return said gaseous and vapor constituents to the intake of said carburetor.

14. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein having an external groove with an open end at the lower margin of the piston skirt, means to supply said cylinder and piston with a lubricant, and means for withdrawing fluids from said groove during reciprocation of the piston.

15. In construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein having an external groove with an open end at the lower margin of the piston skirt, means to supply said cylinder and piston with a lubricant, and means for withdrawing fluids from said groove by suction inwardly through the piston wall.

16. In a construction of the character described, the combination of an internal-combustion engine cylinder, a reciprocatory piston therein havin an external groove, means to supply a lubricant to said cylinder and piston, and means to withdraw fluids from said groove by suction inwardly through the piston wall during the reciprocation of the piston.

17. In an internal-combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, an externallygrooved piston reci rocatory therein, and means to withdraw t 6 contents of said piston groove inwardly through the piston by suction.

18. In an internal-combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein having an external groove on its cylindrical surface provided with an air inlet, and means to withdraw the contents of said piston groove by suction inwardly through the piston and out of said cylinder.

19. In an internal-combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocatory therein having an external groove on its cylindrical surface provided with an air inlet, a reciprocatory pump operated directly mechanically by the sliding movements of said piston, and connections whereby said pump removes the contents of said piston groove inwardly through the piston.

20. An oil-rectifier for engines, comprising a refining-chamber, a pipe having one end connected to said chamber and having its other end connected to the fuel-inlet passage at the side of the throttle-valve remote from the engine.

21. The combination of an internal-combustion engine having fuel and .lubrication systems, means to withdraw impure oil from said lubrication system, means to aerate the oil after such withdrawal, meansv to heat such aerated oil to liberate its gasifiable and vaporizable contaminating ingredients, means to feed such freed ingredients to said fuel system of the engine, and means to return the purified oil to said lubrication system of the engine.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

IRA A. WEAVER. 

